Pocono Township board hires law firm

Pocono Township's newly constituted commissioners' board added two more building blocks to local government Thursday, hiring a law firm and an agency to lead its search for a township manager.

DAVID PIERCE

Pocono Township's newly constituted commissioners' board added two more building blocks to local government Thursday, hiring a law firm and an agency to lead its search for a township manager.

Broughal & DeVito, of Bethlehem, will provide legal advice and representation on a wide range of township issues.

The Meyner Center for the Study of State and Local Government at Lafayette College, and Associate Director David Woglom, will coordinate a three-month search for a manager to oversee daily township operations.

The five commissioners met Sunday with three law firms, including recent township attorney Jeff Durney. But Commissioner Tom Felver said the board liked Broughal & DeVito's experience representing two first-class townships -- Bethlehem and South Whitehall.

The commissioners took office this month as part of a voter-approved change from a second-class to a first-class Pennsylvania township.

"We were extremely impressed with what they bring to the table," Felver said, noting the firm also handles municipal sewer matters. Pocono Township is bringing on line a new central sewer system.

Commissioner Jerry Lastowski said the firm has seven attorneys, each specializing in a different area of municipal law.

"It's almost like you're getting seven in one," Lastowski said.

"We also checked references," Commissioner Greg Hill said. "Every reference was as good as they get."

South Whitehall officials said Broughal doesn't bill them every time they call the firm for a quick consultation.

"They said they didn't get nickeled and dimed," Hill added.

Hill said the firm doesn't have any local clients that could pose a conflict of interest in representing the township. Harold Werkheiser, a township supervisor under the former second class government, suggested trying to prevent Broughal from representing local clients in the future who have business before the township.

The commissioners said Broughal's hourly rate of $150 was lower than the other firms, that Broughal doesn't charge for travel time to and from the township and that paralegals will handle some research at $75 per hour.

Broughal's hiring was approved unanimously.

Woglom said he was a township manager for 27 years before joining Lafayette College. He said he presented a township manager recruitment proposal at the board's request.

A good township manager must have the skill, tolerance and ability to manage employees, maintain communications with the commissioners and interact with the public, Woglom said. The manager must have a thorough understanding of government regulations.

"You'll find the amount of red tape is unreal," he said.

Woglom said he would place manager ads and consult with the board on the interview process, including what questions to ask. He also will do an extensive background check of the finalist. The commissioners will decide what qualities are most important, he added.

"My role in executive recruitment isn't to decide on anyone," Woglom said.

Woglom offered to conduct the search at $75 per hour, with a cap of $6,000. But Felver said he read in the Bethlehem Township commissioners' meeting minutes that he agreed to $5,000 maximum for their search. Hill asked if Woglom could accept a $5,000 cap for Pocono and Woglom agreed.